Art In The Philippines

Art In The Philippines

S A K L U N G (Ifugao Dipper) Material: WoodDimensions: Height 105 cmWidth 18 cmProvenance: Ifugao

The acute angle of the scoop of the handle allows the user to dip into a jars narrow mouth and carry the wine into a waiting bowl or into a water jar, to spill the cool water into a dry mouth on a hot day. C A L A T A G A N P O T

Material: EarthenwareDimensions:Height12.0 cmMax. Width20.2cmRim Diameter14.8cm Weight872 gramsDate: 14th-15th centuryProvenance: Talisay, Calatagan, Batangas

The discover of this earthenware pot with ancient syllabic writing on the shoulder finally provides proof of our prehistoric literacy.

But perhaps our ancestors were almost too literate for us, their languages and writing systems operated for small groups, with limited spread among people separated by seas or mountain ranges with no real need to communicate with others. C A L A T A G A N L I K H AMaterial: Brain CoralDimensions:Height17 cmDiameter12cm Date: 14th CenturyProvenance: Calatagan, Batangas

This figure is maddeningly mute about its origins or functions. Its derived from the circumstance of its discoveryin an ancient grace in a cemetery in association with beads, porcelain, metal, stoneware, bracelets and spindle whorls.

Most of its origins are left to speculation, they were household anitos.

K U R A B A P A L O N G(Maranao Armor)Material: Animal HideDimensions:Height72. 0 cmWidth54. 0 cmProvenance: Lanao del Sur

Accounts of Spanish crusaders are filled with descriptions of the fierce and warlike people of the southern islands. They had armor, made of a thick animal hide that they sewed close together, like scales on a man.

The Maranao, people of the lake, must have been peaceful people, as farmers or fishermans often are, with highly developed arts and crafts who surrounded themselves with beautiful object.

K A M P I L A N(Maranao Sword) Material: Ivory, Gold, SteelDimensions: Height102 cmProvenance: Lanao Del Sur

Known to the Spanish conquerors as a weapon made for cutting off heads and splitting the body from top to toe. The Philippine Souths equivalent of the samurai sword.

Some say this symbolizes the gaping mouth of the naga, or serpent, and point to a round ornament where the eye of the serpent would be.

B A R O N G (Tausog Sword)

Material: Wood, steel Dimensions: Length70.0 cmWidth6.5 cmProvenance: Jolo

Juramentado (hu ra men ta tho) n. 1. From the Spanish word juramentor,to take oath2. Term used by non-Muslim warrior who exhibited bravery and tenacity during battle.

The Barong is obviously a weapon for close combat, with a thick short blade that gives it a good slashing weight. P A R A W E D E K I N D I AA R D U E N N E N S I S(Mansalay Ammonite)

Material: Fossilized ShellDimensions:Large SpecimenSmall SpecimenLength10 cm55cmWidth11.5 cm6cmHeight12.5cm4cmDate: Jurassic Provenance: Mansalay, Mindoro

The ammonite was recovered in the oldest rock formation in the Philippines. The age if Jurassic, 165-180 million years old. Not so old in geologic time, perhaps, but some 100 million years older than the Philippine archipelago. This creature was hunting for its food at a time when most of the Philippines still lay beneath prehistoric seas.